MDS..Where do I start?

What do you know about the Minimum Data Set? Are you already working in LTC?

ST

I am working in an LTC Facility, but I know nothing about MDS.

I was taught on the job. The Company I work for now, requires all MDS Coordinators to be AANAC Certified. The AANAC Certification was a 2 day Seminar, followed by taking several AANAC Tests online after the Seminar. My LTC Corporation pays for our AANAC Testing & Membership. Hope this Helps!

If you really want to know about the MDS job, you should see about job shadowing someone that is currently in that position - at your current facility, if possible. This way you find out what an MDS is, what it entails, and a general idea of what the job description/duties are -- before committing to classes and maybe not 'liking' the job afterwards.

I recommend that you use your state RAI Coordinator (clinical questions about completing specific sections) and Automation Coordinator (technical questions about submitting data, validation errors & warnings, QI/QM reports) as resources. They are the experts at MDS data entry and submission. If you have questions that you cannot easily answer by referencing the RAI Manual, CMS website, or QIES Technical Support Office - Welcome (MDS section) then contact your state coordinators. The newest list of them are in Appendix B of the MDS 3.0 RAI Manual. I can tell you from personal experience that it is not uncommon for facility staff to unknowingly perpetuate bad information and the state coordinators specialize in communicating correct information.

go to www.mdstraining.org